Governing for the People Act
Sponsored By: Representative McGovern
In Committee
Summary
A multi-topic federal policy package that bundles tax changes, health coverage rules, disaster recovery funding, and new program priorities across tech and national security. It focuses on targeted tax relief for film production, stronger protections and penalties for veterans' benefits fraud, guaranteed coverage for certain lung cancer screenings, and funding and rules to help communities and agencies respond to wildfires and improve AI literacy.
Show full summary
- Extends the film and TV production tax deduction to 2030. Raises the high-cost area cap to $40 million and adds inflation adjustments to the dollar limits.
- Requires full coverage without cost-sharing for low-dose CT lung cancer screening for eligible 50 to 80 year olds at increased risk. It bars prior authorization and restrictive utilization controls beyond evidence-based guidance.
- Ensures parties harmed by wildland fires on National Forest System lands can receive 100 percent funding for eligible remediation and lets the Secretary waive matching requirements for covered projects.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
10 provisions identified: 7 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.
Full federal help after wildfires
If enacted, people and local governments hit by wildland fires the Agriculture Secretary finds were caused by Forest Service management would be eligible for federal funding to cover 100% of direct remediation costs. The Secretary could waive any non-federal matching requirement for those projects. This would reduce or eliminate out-of-pocket cleanup and recovery costs for qualifying property owners and communities.
Film and TV tax rules changed
If enacted, the film and television production deduction would be extended to December 31, 2030. For productions beginning after enactment, the higher-cost area threshold would be $40,000,000 and any production costs above $30,000,000 would not count for the deduction. For taxable years after 2026, those dollar amounts would be adjusted for inflation using 2025 as the base and rounded to the nearest $1,000.
No-cost annual lung cancer scan
If enacted, group and individual health plans and applicable federal health programs would have to cover annual low-dose CT lung cancer screening for eligible adults age 50 to 80 with no copays, coinsurance, or deductibles. Plans could not require prior authorization, step therapy, or stricter-than-annual frequency limits. HHS, Defense, Veterans Affairs, and OPM must issue implementing rules within 180 days.
Stronger disaster recovery and warnings
If enacted, FEMA and HUD would have to implement GAO's priority disaster recovery recommendations to improve federal recovery help. FEMA would run the Next Generation Warning System grants, must disburse FY2022 obligated funds within 180 days, and begin awarding FY2023 and FY2024 grants as funds are available. The Department of Homeland Security would carry out R&D within one year to make warnings more accessible and resilient and report to Congress within two years.
House oversight, pay, and conduct rules
If enacted, each House standing committee would have to hold a hearing on how this bill is being put into action within one year. When the House next upgrades its payroll system, the Chief Administrative Officer could pay salaries twice per month if directed by the Committee. Members would be barred from sexual relationships with House employees they supervise, and unwelcome sexual advances would be prohibited; 'employee' would include applicants and interns.
New crime for veterans benefits fraud
If enacted, the bill would create a federal crime for knowingly running a scheme to defraud someone of veterans' benefits. A person convicted could face a fine, imprisonment up to 5 years, or both. The bill defines 'veteran' and 'veterans' benefits' by reference to current law.
Local AI teaching grants and reports
If enacted, the National Science Foundation could award grants to local organizations to build AI literacy programs, with priority outreach to communities of color, low-income people, rural residents, seniors, and people with disabilities. Labor, Commerce, Education, and the Small Business Administration would each report to Congress within one year on how they can advance AI literacy and list awards that could be repurposed. Grant recipients would report yearly on participants and results.
Small FY2027 agency top-ups
If enacted, the bill would add $1,000,000 for FY2027 to each of several programs: NIDCR dental and craniofacial activities, USDA Animal and Plant Health salaries, the U.S. Tax Court (available until expended), Space Force operations and maintenance, the North American Wetlands Conservation Fund (available until expended), and the Federal Railroad Administration.
China–Iran oil reporting and action
If enacted, the Director of National Intelligence would have to report to Congress and the Treasury within 180 days on China's purchases of Iranian oil since 2020 and on transactions that may support Iran's missile program. Within six months after that report, the Treasury Secretary would have to decide whether China engaged in sanctionable activities and report that decision to Congress. The information could lead to later policy or sanctions steps.
PAYGO scoring for this bill
If enacted, the bill would direct that its budget effects for Pay-As-You-Go purposes be determined by the latest "Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation" statement submitted by the House Budget Committee chairman before the vote. This is a procedural rule for how the Act's costs are scored for budget enforcement.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
McGovern
MA • D
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov